Multi configuration tote bag

ABSTRACT

A multi-function tote bag including a body portion having a top and a bottom and an interior carrying space. The interior carrying space of the body portion of the bag includes an inside surface. The body portion of the bag includes an access opening to the interior carrying space positioned at the top of the body portion. The bag further includes at least one holding location positioned on the inside surface of the interior carrying space of the body portion. The at least one holding location includes a top and a bottom, an interior holding space, and an access opening to the interior holding space positioned at the bottom of the holding location.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates generally to a multi configuration tote bag for carrying and holding objects. More particularly, the present invention relates to a tote bag for carrying objects in a first configuration and for holding objects while the tote bag is supported by a support structure in an alternate configuration.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] There are many popular leisure activities such as outings to a beach, park, or sporting event, and the like where it is desirable to transport items between locations. For example, it may be desirable to transport items such as sunscreen, books, snacks, beverages, blankets and similar items generally used during such activities between a home or car and the site of the activity. Many conventional tote bags are available for carrying such items.

[0003] It is also desirable to keep such items readily accessible and organized while at a beach or park or the like. When at a beach, for example, it may be desirable to keep certain items away from the sand. That is, cameras and film, binoculars, food and beverages, and the like can be sensitive to contamination from sand or dirt. It is also generally desirable to keep a tote bag free from sand in order to avoid bringing sand into a car or house. Moreover, items such as sun screen or suntan lotion, beverages, reading materials, binoculars, cameras, and the like that may be frequently used can be difficult to access if intermixed with other items in a bag or the like. As such, a tote bag that can both carry items between locations and hold items in a readily accessible and organized manner is desirable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The present invention overcomes the disadvantages and shortcomings of the prior art by providing a multi-configuration tote bag. In particular, the present invention provides a bag that can be used in two configurations. In a first configuration, a tote bag of the present invention includes a body with an inside space and a top-oriented opening to the inside space. One or more holding locations are located on an inside surface of the inside space of the bag. In one embodiment, a holding location includes a bottom-oriented opening to an inside space of the holding location and may also include a closing device. In other embodiments, a holding location may include top-oriented, bottom-oriented, or side-oriented opening(s) to the holding location or combinations thereof. In a second configuration, the body of the bag is substantially reversed with respect to the first configuration so that the holding locations are substantially reversed and are located on an outside surface of the body of the bag. That is, in the second configuration, an opening to a holding location is substantially reversed with respect to the first configuration.

[0005] Thus, in the first configuration, the bag of the present invention can advantageously be used to carry items in the inside space of the body of the bag and in a holding location, if desired, especially if a closing device for a holding location is used. In the second configuration, the bag of the present invention can advantageously be used to hold objects in the holding locations positioned on the outside of the bag. Such holding locations are readily accessible when positioned on the outside of the bag especially when the bag is supported by a support structure.

[0006] In one embodiment, the present invention provides a bag, which bag includes a body portion having a top and a bottom and an interior carrying space. The interior carrying space of the body portion of the bag includes an inside surface. The body portion of the bag includes an access opening to the interior carrying space positioned at the top of the body portion. The bag further includes at least one holding location positioned on the inside surface of the interior carrying space of the body portion. The at least one holding location includes a top and a bottom, an interior holding space, and an access opening to the interior holding space positioned at the bottom of the holding location.

[0007] In another embodiment, the present invention provides a bag, which bag includes a body portion having a top and a bottom, an interior carrying space, and an access opening to the interior carrying space positioned at the top of the body portion. The body portion is reversible so that an interior space of the reversed body portion comprises a size and shape to engage with at least a portion of a support device. The bag further includes at least one holding location positioned on the inside surface of the interior carrying space of the body portion. The at least one holding location includes a top and a bottom, an interior holding space, and an access opening to the interior holding space positioned at the bottom of the holding location.

[0008] In yet another embodiment, the present invention provides a method for positioning a multifunction bag on a support structure. The method includes the steps of providing a multifunctional bag having a body portion, turning the body portion of the bag substantially inside out; and positioning at least a portion of the inside out body portion on at least a portion of a support structure. The body portion of the bag includes a top and a bottom and an interior carrying space. The interior carrying space, includes an inside surface, an access opening to the interior carrying space positioned at the top of the body portion and at least one holding location positioned on the inside surface of the interior carrying space of the body portion. The at least one holding location includes a top and a bottom, an interior holding space, and an access opening to the interior holding space positioned at the bottom of the holding location.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this application, illustrate several aspects of the invention and together with a description of the embodiments serve to explain the principles of the invention. A brief description of the drawings is as follows:

[0010]FIG. 1 is a perspective view a bag of the present invention showing a body portion and an opening to an inside space of the body portion and showing in particular the bag in a first configuration;

[0011]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the bag of FIG. 1 shown in a second configuration such that the bag is generally turned inside out and showing in particular a plurality of holding locations of the present invention; and

[0012]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the bag of FIG. 2 positioned on and supported by a portion of a chair in accordance with the present invention.

DESCRIPTION

[0013] The present invention provides a bag that can be used in two configurations for carrying and/or holding objects. Generally, the bag includes a body portion having a top and bottom and may include a carrying device such as a handle or the like. In a first configuration, the body portion of the bag includes an interior space having a top-oriented access opening. The interior space comprises an inside surface. One or more holding locations are provided on the inside surface of the interior space. In one embodiment, a holding location includes a bottom-oriented access opening to an inside space of the holding location. In other words, a bottom-oriented access opening of a holding location is oppositely oriented from the top-oriented access opening to the interior space of the body portion. In additional embodiments, a holding location may comprise one or more access opening(s) that may be bottom-oriented, top-oriented, side-oriented, or otherwise. Also, an access opening may be closeable if desired.

[0014] A second configuration of the bag of the present invention is generally reversed or inside out with respect to the first configuration. Thus, the bag in the second configuration includes an access opening to an interior space of the bag in the second configuration, which interior space is generally the reversed interior space of the bag in the first configuration. In the second configuration of the bag, the holding location(s) are located on the outside of the bag. As such, when the bag in the second configuration is oriented such that the access opening to the interior space of the bag is bottom-oriented or downward facing, an access opening to a holding location that was bottom-oriented, for example, in the first configuration (and inside the body portion) will advantageously be top-oriented (and outside the bag).

[0015] In the second configuration, the bag can be positioned on a support structure, such as a back of a chair, to provide easy access to the holding locations. That is, the opening to the interior space of the inside out (reversed) body portion of the bag can be placed over a back of a chair or other support structure. Thus, a multi-configuration bag in accordance with the present invention can be used to carry objects in the interior space of the body portion and carry and/or hold objects in one or more holding locations when the bag is in the first configuration. In the second configuration, the bag can be positioned on a support structure and the holding locations can be used to hold and/or store objects in a readily accessible and organized manner.

[0016] Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, one exemplary embodiment of a multi-configuration tote bag 10 of the present invention is illustrated. FIG. 1 shows the bag 10 in a first configuration and FIG. 2 shows the bag 10 in a second configuration, which is generally reversed from the first configuration. That is, the configuration of the bag 10 shown in FIG. 2 is inside out and upside down with respect from the first configuration shown in FIG. 1.

[0017] Generally, referring to FIG. 1, the bag 10 comprises a body 12, which includes an opening 14 positioned at the top of the body 12, which provides access to an interior space 16 of the body 12. The interior space 16 includes an inside surface 18. As shown, one or more holding locations 19 for holding objects may be provided on the inside surface 16 of the interior space 14 of the body 12. In particular, pockets 20, 22, 24, and 26 are shown as illustrative holding locations 19. It is noted that any number of holding locations 19 having any size and shape may be used as described in more detail below.

[0018] In accordance with the present invention, the pockets 20, 22, 24, and 26 include openings 28, 30, 32, and 34 respectively at the bottom of each pocket 20, 22, 24, and 26, which provide access to an inside holding space for each pocket. As shown, the opening 14 to the interior space 16 of the body 12 and the openings 28, 30, 32, and 34 are generally oppositely oriented. Thus, as shown in FIG. 2, when the bag 10 is in the second configuration, the pockets 20, 22, 24, and 26 are positioned on the outside of the bag 10 and the openings 28, 30, 32, and 34 are oppositely oriented from that of the first configuration shown in FIG. 1 so as to be generally upwardly oriented.

[0019] The body 12 of the bag 10 preferably comprises a pliable, strong, light, and durable material such that the bag 10 is reversible and compactable. More preferably, the body 12 comprises a material that is resistant to water and/or fading due to exposure to sunlight. Such materials may include various woven or non-woven materials including those formed from natural and/or synthetic materials. For example, nylon, cotton, denim, leather, cotton/polyester blends, and the like may be used, which may be treated to provide certain properties such as water, stain, tear, and/or sunlight resistance. The material used for forming the body 12 of the bag 10 may comprise any color, pattern or print, texture, and/or weight as desired. One preferred material for forming the body of the bag 10 comprises rip-stop nylon such as 1.9 oz. rip-stop nylon, which is commercially available from FabriQuilt Co. of North Kansas City, Mo. Thus, the bag may advantageously be lightweight, durable, and easily compactable such as for storage.

[0020] In one preferred embodiment, the body 12 of the bag 10 may be formed from a single piece of material. That is, a single piece of material may be generally folded in half to form front and back portions 36 and 38 and a bottom portion 40. The front and back portions 36 and 38 may be attached at their edges to form the body 12 by any suitable technique such as by conventional sewing or the like. It is contemplated, however, that the body 12 of the bag 10 may comprise plural portions or panels such as for the front portion 36, back portion 38, and/or bottom portion 40. The bag 10 may comprise any number of portions or panels for forming the body 12 of the bag 10.

[0021] In one embodiment, the opening 14 to the interior space 16 of the body 12 preferably includes a closure device (not shown). The closure device (not shown) may comprise any device, known or developed, for releasably opening and closing the opening 14. For example, the closure device (not shown) may comprise one or more snap, button, zipper, drawstring, elastic band, Velcro™ or the like. If desired, the bag 10 may further include a flap or panel (not shown) for covering the opening 14.

[0022] As illustrated in FIG. 1, the bag 10 also preferably includes a handle 42 operatively attached to the front portion 36 and a similar handle 44 operatively attached to the back portion 38. As such, the handles 42 and 44 may be cooperatively used to carry the bag 10. Alternatively, a single handle attached to either the front portion 36 or back portion 38 or to both may be used. It is noted that any carrying device may be used as the handle 42 and/or 44. For example, one or more straps, which may be removable and/or adjustable, may be used. Moreover, the handles 42 and 44 may be formed from the same material as the body 12 or may be formed from a different material.

[0023] Further referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the bag 10 preferably includes a graspable portion 52 positioned in the interior space 16 and preferably attached to the bottom portion 40 of the bag. The graspable portion 52 may be a hook, tab, loop, or the like formed from any suitable material and capable of being grasped to assist in turning the body 12 of the bag 10 inside out from the first configuration to the second configuration. If desired a similar graspable portion may be used to assist in converting the bag from the second configuration back to the first configuration.

[0024] As mentioned, holding locations 19 such as the exemplary pockets 20, 22, 24, and 26 are preferably formed on the inside surface 16 of the interior space 14 of the body 12 of the bag 10. In one embodiment, the pockets 20, 22, 24, and 26 are formed by attaching a panel to the inside surface 16 by conventional sewing or the like. The pockets 20, 22, 24, and 26 can be formed such that the pockets 20, 22, 24, and 26 are generally downward facing in the first configuration of the bag 10 (FIG. 1) and generally upward facing in the second configuration of the bag 10 (FIG. 2). That is, in the first configuration of the bag 10, a holding location is formed inside of the body 12 of the bag 10 and the opening to a holding location 19 is preferably located generally at the bottom of the holding location 19. In the second configuration of the bag 10, a holding location is positioned on the outside of the bag 10 and the opening to a holding location 19 is preferably located generally at the top of the holding location 19.

[0025] A preferred holding location 19 such as a pocket 20, 22, 24, or 26 preferably includes a closure device for a respective opening 28, 30, 32, and 34 such as one or more snap, button, zipper, drawstring, elastic band, Velcro™ or the like. For example, pocket 24 preferably includes a closure device 25, such as a Velcro™ strip or the like, for closing the opening 32. Such a closure device may be used with any pocket or holding location of the present invention. Optionally, the pocket 24 may also include an access opening 33, which is oppositely positioned with respect to opening 32. The opening 33 may also include a closure device 35. If desired, the pockets 20, 22, 24, and/or 26 may further include a flap or panel (not shown), which may include a closure device or the like. As such the pockets 20, 22, 24, and 26 may advantageously be used to hold or store objects in both configurations of the bag 10. That is, items can be carried in the interior space 16 of the body 12 of the bag 10 while simultaneously carrying items in the pockets 20, 22, 24, and/or 26 in the first configuration. In the second configuration, the pockets 20, 22, 24, and/or 26 can advantageously be used to hold and position items in a readily accessible manner.

[0026] Any number of holding locations 19 such as the pockets 20, 22, 24, and 26 may be used. In one embodiment, the pockets 20, 22, 24, and/or 26 may be constructed from the same material used in the construction of the body 12. Alternatively, pockets 20, 22, 24, and/or 26 may be constructed from a broad range of other materials, including transparent plastics, meshes or net-like materials, various fabrics, or any combination of plastics, meshes and fabrics including generally elastic materials. In addition, pockets 20, 22, 24, and/or 26 may be reinforced with one or more additional layers of either the same or different material, and may be padded, layered or pleated for increased durability and/or storage capacity.

[0027] Pockets 20, 22, 24, and/or 26, may be varied in size, shape and design in order to accommodate items having a range of sizes and/or shapes. In one preferred embodiment pocket 20 may be used to hold shoes and/or socks for example, pocket 22 may be used to hold a beverage or water bottle or the like, pockets 24 and 26 may be used to hold other items such as keys, personal belongings, sunglasses, binoculars, books or magazines and the like.

[0028] Preferably, the bag 10 can be positioned on a support structure when the bag 10 is turned inside out, in the second configuration. Accordingly, the bag 10 preferably comprises a size and shape such that when in the second configuration the bag can fit over and be supported by a predetermined support structure. The bag 10 in the second configuration comprises an opening 46 as can be seen in FIG. 2, which can be used to engage a support structure. In FIG. 3, the exemplary bag 10 is shown in the second configuration (FIG. 2) and positioned on a chair 48, which is used as a support structure. The chair 48 may be any chair with a back to support the bag 10 such as a conventional foldable beach chair comprising aluminum and plastic web construction or the like. In particular, the bag 10 is shown with the opening 46 engaged with an upright back portion 50 of the chair 48. As such, the pockets 20, 22, 24, and 26 are readily accessible. One exemplary bag 10 may be about 27 inches wide and about 19 inches tall so as to fit on a wide variety of chairs typically used for leisure beach and outdoor activities. It is contemplated that the bag 10 may include a padded portion or pillow portion (not shown) such that a person using a chair having the bag 10 positioned thereon could have a pillow positioned in a predetermined location.

[0029] Accordingly, the present invention provides a multifunction tote bag that can carry items in a body portion of the bag and hold items in holding locations in a first configuration and that can provide and hold items in a readily accessible manner in the holding locations in a second configuration especially when supported by a support structure. Advantageously, if used for beach going for example, the bag 10 can be used to carry items such a towels, books, and personal items in both the interior space 16 and the holding locations 19 when in the first configuration as well as provide readily accessible holding locations 19 such as the pockets 20, 22, 24, and 26 for regularly used items such as sunscreen, beverages, and the like when in the second configuration and supported by a support structure such as a chair of the like. Alternatively, the bag 10 may be similarly used at parks and sporting events and the like.

[0030] Numerous characteristics and advantages of the invention meant to be described by this document have been set forth in the foregoing description. It is to be understood, however, that while particular forms or embodiments of the invention have been illustrated, various modifications, including modifications to shape, and arrangement of parts, and the like, can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A bag comprising: a body portion having a top and a bottom and an interior carrying space, the interior carrying space having an inside surface; an access opening to the interior carrying space positioned at the top of the body portion; and at least one holding location positioned on the inside surface of the interior carrying space of the body portion and having a top and a bottom, an interior holding space, and an access opening to the interior holding space positioned at the bottom of the holding location.
 2. The bag of claim 1, wherein the body portion comprises a pliable material.
 3. The bag of claim 2, wherein the pliable material comprises a tear resistant material.
 4. The bag of claim 2, wherein the pliable material comprises a nylon material.
 5. The bag of claim 2, wherein the pliable material comprises a cloth material.
 6. The bag of claim 1, wherein the access opening to the interior space of the body portion comprises a releasable closure device.
 7. The bag of claim 6, wherein the releasable closure device comprises elastic.
 8. The bag of claim 6, wherein the releasable closure device comprises a drawstring.
 9. The bag of claim 1, wherein the at least one holding location comprises a pocket.
 10. The bag of claim 1, comprising a plurality of holding locations positioned on the inside surface of the interior carrying space of the body portion, each holding location having a top and a bottom, an interior holding space, and an access opening to the interior holding space positioned at the bottom of each pocket.
 11. The bag of claim 1, wherein the at least one holding location comprises at least one additional access opening to the interior holding space of the at least one holding location.
 12. The bag of claim 11, wherein the at least one additional access opening is positioned at the top of the holding location.
 13. The bag of claim 1, comprising a padded portion.
 14. The bag of claim 1, comprising a carrying device.
 15. The bag of claim 1, wherein the body portion comprises a graspable portion located in the interior space of the body that extends at least partially from the inside surface of the interior space of the body portion.
 16. The bag of claim 15, wherein the graspable portion comprises a loop.
 17. A bag comprising: a body portion having a top and a bottom, an interior carrying space, and an access opening to the interior carrying space positioned at the top of the body portion, the body portion being reversible so that an interior space of the reversed body portion comprises a size and shape to engage with at least a portion of a support device; and at least one holding location positioned on the inside surface of the interior carrying space of the body portion and having a top and a bottom, an interior holding space, and an access opening to the interior holding space positioned at the bottom of the holding location.
 18. The bag of claim 17, wherein the at least one holding location comprises a pocket.
 19. The bag of claim 17, comprising a plurality of holding locations positioned on the inside surface of the interior carrying space of the body portion, each holding location having a top and a bottom, an interior holding space, and an access opening to the interior holding space positioned at the bottom of each holding location.
 20. The bag of claim 17, comprising a carrying device.
 21. The bag of claim 20, wherein the carrying device is a strap.
 22. The bag of claim 17, in combination with a support structure such that the body portion of the bag is substantially reversed and supported by at least a portion of the support structure.
 23. The bag of claim 22, wherein the support structure comprises at least a portion of a chair.
 24. A method for positioning a multifunction bag on a support structure, the method comprising the steps of: providing a bag comprising a body portion having a top and a bottom and an interior carrying space, the interior carrying space having an inside surface, an access opening to the interior carrying space positioned at the top of the body portion and at least one holding location positioned on the inside surface of the interior carrying space of the body portion, the holding location having a top and a bottom, an interior holding space, and an access opening to the interior holding space positioned at the bottom of the holding location turning the body portion of the bag substantially inside out; and positioning at least a portion of the inside out body portion on at least a portion of a support structure.
 25. The method of claim 24, wherein the step of positioning the inside out body portion on a support structure comprises engaging the interior space of the inside out body with the support structure.
 26. The method of claim 24, wherein the step of positioning the inside out body on a support structure comprises engaging the interior space of the inside out body with at least a portion of a chair. 